System and Method for Geothermal Power Generation Using a Closed-Loop of Liquid having Low Boiling Temperature

Abstract

Systems and methods for geothermal power generation using a closed-loop of liquid having low boiling temperature. A system for generating electricity includes: a storage tank to store a specific liquid, which has a boiling point of under 90 degrees Celsius; a closed-loop pipe sub-system, which penetrates underground to a depth of between 1,000 to 2,500 meters, and transports therein the specific liquid downwardly underground and then upwardly back towards ground level, and causes at least a portion of the specific liquid to boil underground due to proximity to a natural geothermal heat source; at least one turbine associated with an electric power generator, connected above ground level to the closed-loop pipe sub-system, to receive steam that results in from underground boiling of the specific liquid, to pass the steam through the turbine, and to generate electric power through the electric power generator

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for generating electricity, the system comprising:
 a storage tank to store a specific liquid, wherein the specific liquid has a boiling point of under 90 degrees Celsius;   a closed-loop pipe sub-system, which penetrates underground to a depth of between 1,000 to 2,500 meters, and transports therein said specific liquid downwardly underground and then upwardly back towards ground level, and causes at least a portion of said specific liquid to boil underground due to proximity to a natural geothermal heat source;   at least one turbine associated with an electric power generator, connected above ground level to said closed-loop pipe sub-system, to receive steam that results in from underground boiling of said specific liquid, to pass said steam through said turbine, and to generate electric power through said electric power generator.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein steam output from said at least one turbine is transported back, through said closed-loop pipe sub-system, to said storage tank; and is liquified and then repeatedly and continuously re-used in said closed-loop pipe sub-system.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein steam output from said at least one turbine is transported to at least a second turbine, and passes through said second turbine which generates additional electricity via a second electric power generator;   wherein steam output from said second turbine is transported back, through said closed-loop pipe sub-system, to said storage tank; and is liquified and then repeatedly and continuously re-used in said closed-loop pipe sub-system.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said closed-loop pipe sub-system comprises a steam collector that collects high-pressure steam of said liquid that was boiled underground, and routes said high-pressure steam towards said at least one turbine.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said closed-loop pipe sub-system comprises a steam collector that collects high-pressure steam of said liquid that was boiled underground, and routes said high-pressure steam towards said at least one turbine;   wherein said steam collector comprises a diverter and separator unit, to separate between said high-pressure steam and liquid vapors incoming from underground, and to route said liquid vapors directly towards said storage tank in a transport route that excludes any turbines.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising:
 one or more pipe segments to transport steam, that is generated in said closed-loop pipe sub-system due to underground boiling of said specific liquid, through a plurality of turbines, one turbine after another turbine; wherein a subsequent turbine receives as input the steam that is outputted after passing through a previous turbine;   one or more additional pipe segments to transport a steam output of the last turbine of said turbines, back to said storage tank.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising:
 one or more pipe segments to transport steam, that is generated in said closed-loop pipe sub-system due to underground boiling of said specific liquid, through a plurality of turbines, one turbine after another turbine; wherein a subsequent turbine receives as input the steam that is outputted after passing through a previous turbine;   one or more additional pipe segments to transport a steam output of the last turbine of said turbines, to a liquefaction chamber that converts said steam output to liquid and that outputs said liquid to be transported back to said storage tank.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising:
 an injector to receive said specific liquid from said storage tank, and to inject said specific liquid at a pressure into a downward-transporting pipe-segment of said closed-loop sub-system;   wherein said storage tank and said injector are parts of said closed-loop sub-system.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said specific liquid has a boiling point of under 45 degrees Celsius.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said specific liquid is a single liquid selected from the group consisting of:   dichloromethane, ethanol, acetone.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said specific liquid is a single liquid selected from the group consisting of:   dichloromethane, ethanol, acetone,   1-pentene, Isopentane, Pentane,   ethyl ether, ethylene oxide, ethyl chloride,   propylene oxide, methyl Tert-Butyl ether.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said specific liquid comprises a mixture of two or more liquids selected from the group consisting of:   dichloromethane, ethanol, acetone,   1-pentene, Isopentane, Pentane,   ethyl ether, ethylene oxide, ethyl chloride,   propylene oxide, methyl Tert-Butyl ether.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said system excludes a cooling tower and operates without requiring a cooling tower;   wherein said system excludes a pump that pumps said specific liquid upwardly back to ground level.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said system is capable of operating and generating electricity at a non-volcanic region of Earth.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said system is capable of operating and generating electricity at a geographical region that is not adjacent to any body of water.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the specific liquid is continuously and repeatedly re-used within said closed-loop pipe sub-system without being in direct touch with above-ground air or with under-ground geosphere.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the specific liquid is a specific liquid having a pre-defined finite and fixed volume as liquid which continuously and repeatedly re-cycles within said closed-loop pipe sub-system, continuously and repeatedly alternating its state between liquid and steam, without evaporating to the atmosphere, and without being replenished from any external source between consecutive cycles.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the closed-loop pipe sub-system is formed of a thermally conductive material, and wherein travel of said specific liquid to a full underground depth of said closed-loop pipe sub-system causes said specific liquid to boil underground and to convert to steam.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the specific liquid has a boiling point of under 57 degrees Celsius;   wherein travel of said specific liquid at an underground depth of up to 2,500 meters within said closed-loop pipe sub-system causes said specific liquid to boil underground and to convert to steam.   
     
     
         20 . A method for generating electricity, the method comprising:
 storing in a storage tank a specific liquid which has a boiling point of under 90 degrees Celsius;   transporting said specific liquid through a closed-loop pipe sub-system, which penetrates underground to a depth of between 1,000 to 2,500 meters, and transports therein said specific liquid downwardly underground and then upwardly back towards ground level; and causing at least a portion of said specific liquid to boil underground due to proximity to a natural geothermal heat source;   receiving steam that results in from underground boiling of said specific liquid, and passing said steam through at least one turbine associated with an electric power generator, connected above ground level to said closed-loop pipe sub-system, wherein said steam rotates said at least one turbine which generate electric power through said electric power generator;   transporting back steam output from said at least one turbine, through said closed-loop pipe sub-system, to said storage tank; liquifying said steam into said specific liquid, and then repeatedly and continuously re-using said specific liquid in said closed-loop pipe sub-system.